President Donald Trump indicated he might exclude Exxon Mobil from future investments in Venezuela, citing CEO Darren Woods's assessment that the country is currently "uninvestable." Trump's statement, made to reporters on Sunday, followed Woods's remarks at a White House event earlier this month.
The disagreement highlights a fundamental conflict between the Trump administration's energy policy and the financial strategies of major U.S. oil companies. Trump has repeatedly stated his desire for U.S. oil companies to invest $100 billion in Venezuela following the removal of President Nicolás Maduro, aiming to boost the country's oil production and stabilize global oil prices. However, oil executives are prioritizing shareholder returns and risk mitigation in an environment of oversupply.
Vicki Hollub, the chief executive of Occidental Petroleum, echoed this sentiment, stating, "We’re not going to aggressively put lots of extra barrels into an oversupplied market." This cautious approach reflects the industry's broader strategy of economizing on investment and rewarding shareholders through dividends and share repurchases.
The current impasse leaves the future of U.S. oil investment in Venezuela uncertain. Trump faces the challenge of either incentivizing investment or potentially penalizing companies for their reluctance. The conflicting priorities of the administration and the oil industry will ultimately shape the outcome. The situation unfolds against a backdrop of fluctuating oil prices and a global market grappling with oversupply, making investment decisions particularly sensitive for major oil companies.
AI-Assisted Journalism
This article was generated with AI assistance, synthesizing reporting from multiple credible news sources. Our editorial team reviews AI-generated content for accuracy.
Deep insights powered by AI
Continue exploring
NASA has abandoned plans to return Martian rock samples to Earth, impacting potential scientific discoveries about the red planet. Meanwhile, genetic research has uncovered the origins of floppy ears in dogs, offering insights into domestication and genetic traits.
Multiple news sources report that a new study suggests widespread HPV vaccination can create herd immunity, protecting even unvaccinated individuals from cervical lesions. This research, involving over 857,000 participants, emphasizes the significant public health benefits of HPV vaccination programs in reducing cervical cancer risk across populations, highlighting the importance of vaccine accessibility and uptake.
The PATHWEIGH program, developed by an endocrinologist, is revolutionizing weight management in primary care by enabling patients to openly seek help and equipping doctors with tools for focused weight care visits. A large trial demonstrated that PATHWEIGH halted population weight gain and improved access to obesity treatment, leading to its adoption by health systems nationwide and signaling a significant shift in how obesity is addressed in healthcare.
NASA's Crew-11 returned to Earth ahead of schedule due to a medical issue affecting one astronaut, though the individual is reported to be stable post-landing. Despite the shortened mission, the crew safely completed over 140 experiments aboard the International Space Station, highlighting the adaptability and safety protocols of modern space programs. Medical experts emphasize the importance of rapid response capabilities for ensuring astronaut well-being during extended space travel.
Adolescent brains actively construct new, dense synapse clusters, challenging the traditional view of pruning as the primary developmental mechanism. These newly discovered "synaptic hotspots" may be crucial for shaping higher-level cognitive functions and, when disrupted, could contribute to conditions like schizophrenia, highlighting the dynamic and complex nature of teenage brain development.
A recent study reveals that common petrolatum-based eye ointments can compromise glaucoma implants, causing swelling and potential rupture due to oil absorption. This finding, combining patient data and lab experiments, highlights a previously unknown risk in post-surgery eye care, urging a reevaluation of standard treatment protocols for glaucoma patients with PRESERFLO MicroShunts.
The USS Gerald R. Ford, a $13 billion U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, is facing significant challenges due to persistent issues with its sewage system, causing frustration among the crew during its deployment off the coast of Venezuela. Design flaws are believed to be the root cause of the problem, highlighting the complexities of integrating advanced technologies in large-scale systems and the potential impact on operational effectiveness.
Amidst rising tensions over immigration enforcement in the U.S., the Trump administration is escalating its conflict with so-called "sanctuary cities" by threatening to withhold federal funding, raising questions about the balance of power between federal and local authorities, a debate echoed in similar immigration policy clashes worldwide. This action reflects a global trend of nations grappling with immigration policies and the integration of diverse populations, often leading to disputes over resource allocation and jurisdictional rights.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., shortly after becoming health secretary in March 2025, proposed a radical restructuring of the Department of Health and Human Services into a new entity called the Administration for a Healthy America (AHA), aiming to streamline operations and improve public health outcomes. However, as of January 2026, this reorganization has not yet materialized, raising questions about its feasibility and implementation. Experts suggest that such a large-scale overhaul requires careful planning and stakeholder engagement to ensure essential functions are maintained and public health is not negatively impacted.
An HIV vaccine trial in Africa, funded by a substantial USAID grant and led by the BRILLIANT Consortium of African scientists, faced near cancellation due to unforeseen challenges. Experts emphasize the importance of this initiative for addressing the disproportionate impact of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting the potential for a locally developed vaccine to significantly improve public health outcomes.
Following a bloody crackdown on recent protests in Iran, a hard-line cleric is calling for the execution of detained demonstrators, signaling the regime's severe stance. Despite this, President Trump has expressed gratitude that executions haven't occurred, hinting at a possible de-escalation of tensions, while an internet blackout continues amidst a return to outward normality in Tehran.
A French clown school, attended by notable alumni like Sacha Baron Cohen, teaches that the core of clowning lies in embracing and mastering the art of failure. This approach highlights the importance of vulnerability and resilience, skills that could be valuable in AI development for creating more human-centered and adaptable systems.
Discussion
Join the conversation
Be the first to comment